Electrolytic gas generator



=Marh12,1935. y E K 1,994,125

ELECTROLYTIC GAS GENERATOR Filed April 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l SECONDARY Inventor PRIMARY A. C. SUPPLY M Y 22% March 12, 1935. M, E 1,994,125

ELECTROLYTIC GAS GENERATOR Filed April 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invenlor 46mm? Y Z 6 fl llome y Patented Mar. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTROLYTIC GAS GENERATOR Myron Y. Eck, Niagara Falls, N. Y. Application April 12, 1934, serial No. 720,342

" '8 Claims. (c1..204--) 5 an important object of my invention is to provide a simple and efficient generator of the character described which is simple and reliable, and can be constructed and operated at comparatively low cost. 1

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the drawings wherein for purposes of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention;

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is alongitudinal vertical sectional view through the embodiment and including the electrical circuitrthereof diagrammatically,

Figure 2 is a plan view .of one of the metal electrodes.

Figure 3 is a plan view of another one of the electrodes. "Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of an application of the embodiment.

' Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view showing the mounting of one of the electrodes shown in Figure 3. v

V Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 generally designates the embodiment which comprises the longitudinally elongated cylin-,

7 projects into a vertical casing 8 which constitutes a trap having bafiles 9 and 10 for separating the heavier condensed lvapors from the lighter gas which is to be used for refrigerating or heating. The lighter useful gases pass upwardly through the gas outlet 11 on the topof the trap 8. The heavier condensed vapors after separation fall to the bottom of the trap and pass therefrom through the small pipe 12 which empties into the bottom of the casing 6 as indicated by the numeral 13. The refrigeratingor heating chamber generally designated 14 in Figure 4 to which the lighter gas conduit 11 leads, returns the lighter gases after use, through the pipe 15 which leads into the bottom of the casing 6, at the point indicated by the numeral 16. By reason of this arrangement there is maximum economy in the use of the lighter useful gases and in the conservation of the separated heavier constituents, so that maximum efliciency is at--' tained in the electrolysis of the fluids which are dissociated within'the casing by the passage of a suitable electric current therethrough through the medium of two sets of electrodes.

the like.

'Wlthin the casing 6 is mounted a vertically spaced pair of 'metal rods 1'7, 18 which are connectedat their ends directly to the ends of the metallic casing 6. Mounted to and between these rods are spaced disk electrodes A which are of suitable metal, such ascopper, monel metal, and

The form of these electrodesA is clearly shown in Figure 2. Diametrically opposite edge portions are provided with notches 19, 20 which receive the rods 17, 18, respectively, and whereby the electrodes A are held in the angulated arrangement shown in Figure 1. The center of the plates A have a relatively large opening 21. By r'eason of the direct connection of the electrodes A with the conductive rods 17, 18, which are in turn directly connected with the metallic casing 6, one side of the secondary of the stepdown transformer T may be directly connected to the casing 6 by the conductor'22 at the point 23.

The primary of the transformer T is fed by alternating current supply as indicated. a

At approximately the center of the opposite ends of the casing 6 are bosses24, 25 which mount porcelain insulators 26, 27 which are socketed to receive the opposite ends of support rods 28, 29 which have their inner ends socketed in'a central insulator 30 as shown in Figure l. The support rods 28, 2 9 and the central insulator 30 are located in the openings 21 in the electrode plates A and clear the same except the center one, so that no electrical engagement obtains between the rods 28, 29 and the electrodeplates A.

Mounted in longitudinally spaced manner on the support rods 28, 29 and between and outside of the electrodes A are other metallic electrode plates B which are smaller in diameter and are supported on the rods 28, 29 by virtue of engagement of these rods with a hole 31 in the center of the plates B. The end ones of these plates B abut the porcelain insulators 26, 27 and'the middle ones of these plates abut the central insulator 30 for greater support.

Electrical connectiontothe electrodes B is made through conductive rods 32, 33 which are mounted to the opposite ends of the casing 6 in insulator bushings located .in suitable openings in the said ends of the casing 6. The conductive rod 32 is connected by means of the conductor 36 with one side of thethermostatically controlled switch S the opposite side of which is connected to the remaining end of the secondary of the transformer. Another conductor 37 is variably connected with the secondary of the said transformer, and to one side of the second thermostatically controlled switch S whose opposite side is connected by means of a conductor 38 to the conductive rod 33. In this manner the electrodes Bare completely insulated from the casing 6 and from the electrodes A and are adequately energized. It is obvious that the proin the presence of some suitable catalyst such as ammonium chloride or ammonium sulphate or sodium sulphite or sodium bisulphite, and the like. a

For generating'a heating gas whichcondens'es when it passes through a standard radiator system, an electrolyte composed of alcohol, water, and ammonium sulphate replaces the aquaammonia. When generating gas for heating purposes, the trap 8 is eliminated and is notused, as the condensation takes place in the radiator system, and is returned to the casing 6 through the pipe 15. I 3

Although I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of the invention thereto, and any change or changes maybe made in material and structure and arrangement of parts, within the spirit of the invention andthe scope of the subjoined claims. I r

What is claimed is: I I L-An electrolytic gas generator comprising acasing having a generated gas outlet, horizontal conductors Within said casing and electrically connected to said casing and supporting a plurality of longitudinally spaced first electrodes therebetween, insulated support means in said generator carrying a plurality'cf second electrodes. arranged between the first-mentioned electrodes and insulated therefrom, and a suitable source of electricalenergy connected to said second. electrodes and to said casing.

2. An electrolytic gasi generator comprising a casing having a generated gas outlet, horizontal conductors within said casing and electrically connected to said casing and supporting a; plurality of longitudinally spaced first electrodes therebetwecn, insulated support means in said generator carrying a plurality of second elec trodes arranged between the first-mentioned electrodes and insulated therefrom, and a suitable source of electrical energy connected to said secondelectrodes and to said casing, and a gas trap for separating lighter from heavier portions of the generated'gas, said trap being connected to said casing for returning the condense'd heavier portions into the casing, said trap being fed by-the generated gas outlet.

3. An electrolytic gas generator comprising a casing having a generated gas outlet, horizontal conductors within said casing and electrically connected to said casing and supporting aplurality' of longitudinally spaced first electrodes therebetween, insulated support means in said generator carrying a plurality of second electrodes arranged between the first-mentioned electrodes and insulated therefrom, and a suitable source of electrical energy connected to said second electrodes and to said casing, the ffirstelectrodesbeing circular plates, and the second-mentioned electrodes being relatively smaller'circular plates. I j l 4. An electrolytic gas generator comprising a casing having a generated gas outlet, horizontal conductors within said casing and electrically connected to said casing and supporting aplurality of longitudinally spaced first electrodes therebetween, insulated support means in said' generator carrying a plurality of second electrodes arranged between the first electrodes and insulated therefrom, a suitable some ofelectric'al energy connected to said'se'cond electrodesgand to said casing, the first electrodes being circular plates, and the second electrodes being relatively smaller circular plates, and thermostatically controlled switch means interposed between said posed to heat or cold in the system being supplied with refrigerantgas or with heating gas, as the case may be. 5

I 5. An electrolytic gas. generator comprising a casing having a generated-gas outlet,,-horizontal conductorswithin said casing and; electrically connected to said casing and supporting -a plu rality of longitudinally spaced first v-elec trodesl therebetween, insulated support means in said generator carrying a plurality of secondelectrodes and insulated therefrom, and asuitable 'source of electrical energy connected to said sec;-

ond electrodes and to said casing, said firstg-and to the horizontal. a I 6. An electrolytic gas generator comprisingsa casinghaving a generated gas 'outlet,fhorizont'al conductors within said casing and electrically I trodes arranged between the first mentioned elecconnected to said casing andlsupportingfa plll-j rality of longitudinally spaced first electrpdesi therebetween, insulated support means in said generator carrying 'a plurality of second electrodes arranged between the firstmentionedelec trodes and insulated therefrom, and a suitable source of electrical energy connected; to saidsecond electrodes and to said casing, a gas outlet at one end of said'casing, said first and second electrodes being inclined withrespect to thefhori zontal so as to direct the generated gas upwardly andin the direction of. said one end of thefcasing.

'1. An electrolytic gas generator comprising, a

.' casing having a generatedrgas outlet, horizontal conductors. within said casing and electrically connected to saidcasing and supporting a'plu' rality of longitudinally spaced first electrodes therebetween, insulated "support means in said generator carrying .a plurality of secondeleca trodes arranged between the first mentioned electrodes-and insulated therefrom, and a suitable source of electrical energy connectedtosaidsec- Q ond electrodes and to said casing, a generated gas outlet. at one end of said casing, the top of the casing inclining upwardly in the direction of said as outlet. I a I I 8. An electrolytic gas generator 'comprising fa casing having a generated gas'outlet, horizontal conductors withinsaid casing and electrically at one end. of said casing, theltop of'the casing.

inclining upwardly in the directionof sa id; gas,

I outlet, and said first and second electrodes-being acutely angulated with respect tothe; horizont l,

so 'asto direct the'generated gas upwardly and in the direction of said gas outlet.

1o source of electrical energy and said first and second electrodes, said switch'meansbeing ex'- 

